Pactimo High Country Wool Jersey

The Pactimo High Country Wool Jersey is a stylish bit of kit that's worth investing in if the bike is your number one mode of transport and you are a bit of a sucker for the retro look.

• Pros: Versatile; doesn't need washing every few days
• Cons: Not great in terms of visibility; could have a more female cut

Pactimo has combined three different fabrics (merino wool, Coolmax polyester and nylon) to create a pretty versatile jersey. The wool content keeps you warm while the polyester and nylon add durability and give it a more lightweight feel.

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The jersey is designed to be a casual fit. I'm a size 10-12 and I tested a small (Tass in the photos is more 12-14). There was ample room for a layer underneath. If you want the look that Pactimo has on its website, I'd say stay true to your size; if you want a tighter fit, downsize.

There are no quirks in the fit; the torso and arm length is good, the collar height spot on and the chest width not too tight. The generous length of the 'traditional fit' means it goes brilliantly with jeans or leggings for a casual look off the bike. For me, it lacked a bit of tapering at the waist; I thought it could be more flattering here. That's an individual thing, though.

The fabric has a really soft feel to it, with absolutely no irritation against the skin. There is no restriction of movement whatsoever on the bike. This is primarily down to the casual fit but also the stretchiness of the material, so even if you find it a bit snug somewhere, it gives well. The cuffs shut off cold draughts and the collar zip is easy to adjust. It doesn't have a guard but I never noticed any irritation when it was fully zipped up.

After the first week of testing – commuting every day and a couple of town trips – the jersey didn't smell or look dirty. The wool content is high enough to prevent it from holding odours, and its dark colour means it doesn't look dirty quickly either. It went in the wash anyway and it's been washed pretty extensively since to see how it responded. Bottom line is, you'll be wearing it a hell of a lot more than you'll be washing it. Drying wasn't an issue and it doesn't need an iron either. There is no bobbling or snags but you can tell it's no longer new; a slightly worn look's developed.

The rear pockets are great for lightweight items though I found myself reluctant to put anything too heavy in them; the jersey swings round while riding if unevenly weighted. As I was mainly commuting or popping into town in the jersey I normally had a pannier or rack bag anyway so didn't find not using them an issue. It's certainly worth knowing that the pockets can take a cased, 15 x 17cm smartphone (Moto G5 Plus). The button won't fasten over it but it is secure against falling out while riding. They do stretch, so if you opt to make good use of them they are accommodating.

As you would expect, the jersey really doesn't like water, although it's not overly weighty when it does get wet and it still manages a half decent job of keeping you warm rather than leaving you a shivering wreck. To be fair, if you're heading out in the jersey and it looks like rain, you're likely going to take a rain jacket.

I used it several times in rainy, cold weather; under a waterproof it kept me cosy warm in 5 or 6°C. In temperatures under 10°C you need a decent baselayer under the jersey. More recently, with temperatures hitting double figures, I've found a T-shirt sufficient. It'll be a great layer if you are heading out on a late summer evening on a pub bike. It's sufficiently breathable for the levels of exertion I was making to get me to work. I never felt myself overheating.

> Buyer's Guide: The best casual cycling kit for commuting

The only real negative I can find is the lack of visibility detailing. This would obviously go against the retro style. Be sure to get all your lights flashing if you're riding in poor light.

There aren't a huge number of comparable tops out there, though we have tested two that are very similar. Tass tried something from Rapha which she loved, but it's no longer available. Findra's Caddon Jersey is also very similar, though it's lighter than the High Country and £20 cheaper (and currently on offer for £69).

In short, although Pactimo markets its High Country Jersey as kit for early spring or autumn, it will serve you well all year if you want it to. Having forked out 100 quid for it, you'll probably want it to. Consider it a two-in-one garment – bike kit and casual kit – and that helps justify the expense.

Verdict

Stylish and versatile for everyday use – you'll want to use it every day, too, for £120...